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Introducing myself

Elfin

I've just joined and am feeling really lonely and isolated with my undiagnosed autism. I'm a 51 year old woman and, despite both my brothers having autism, have never had anyone notice or realise that I have it too. Now I know (scored 36 on the AQ50) everything makes sense!

The doctor has told me that I most likely have autism after a brief chat but I can't access services to get an official diagnosis as, with a 'good job etc', I was told that I don't qualify as being needy enough. I get that, but it leaves me feeling like an outsider as usual. Not normal enough to be normal but not autistic enough to be autistic. 

I guess I'm just looking for some validation after all these years.

Parents

  • Hi Elfin,

    Welcome. Validation, we can certainly give you, but I'm appalled at your GP's attitude though. You wouldn't be asking for an assessment, if you didn't think you needed one. And just because you've got a job doesn't mean you might not need help, if not now at some point in the future, in some other area. I work and am self sufficient in lots of ways, but there are things I need help with sometimes. And it can have impact for physical and mental health, for which reason identifying your autism could be important one day.

    I know GPs have an eye on resources. There is a diagnostic crisis in the UK. But you have as much right as the next person to be assessed. I'd make a list of all the areas where you feel your autism does or could be an issue and go see another GP. Tell them you understand you might have to wait a good while, but insist you need an assessment.

    Bless you, it's tough, huh?

    I was 56 when I got my diagnosis. I wish to God, I'd known sooner.

Reply

  • Hi Elfin,

    Welcome. Validation, we can certainly give you, but I'm appalled at your GP's attitude though. You wouldn't be asking for an assessment, if you didn't think you needed one. And just because you've got a job doesn't mean you might not need help, if not now at some point in the future, in some other area. I work and am self sufficient in lots of ways, but there are things I need help with sometimes. And it can have impact for physical and mental health, for which reason identifying your autism could be important one day.

    I know GPs have an eye on resources. There is a diagnostic crisis in the UK. But you have as much right as the next person to be assessed. I'd make a list of all the areas where you feel your autism does or could be an issue and go see another GP. Tell them you understand you might have to wait a good while, but insist you need an assessment.

    Bless you, it's tough, huh?

    I was 56 when I got my diagnosis. I wish to God, I'd known sooner.

Children
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